Over 40 Million Monthly Unique Users Nominated Best Home Improvement and Design Professionals in the UK and Around the World

This morning Jamie Hempsall Interior Design has won “Best Of Customer Service” on Houzz®, the leading platform for home renovation and design. This is the third year in a row that the already multi-award winning consultancy who offer both residential and commercial services has won a coveted Houzz award. The 15 year old firm was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, home improvement and design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 40 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honours are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2016. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognised with the Photography award. A “Best Of Houzz 2017” badge will appear on winners’ profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals on Houzz.

Richard Bond, MD of Jamie Hempsall Ltd, said “We are absolutely thrilled to have won an award for the third year in a row. Houzz is a terrific platform for the interiors sector and to have our work recognised by customers is the best possible reward we can receive.”
“We’re so pleased to award Best of Houzz 2017 to this incredible group of talented and customer-focused professionals, including Jamie Hempsall Interior Design,” said Andrew Small, MD of Houzz UK and Ireland. “Each of these businesses was singled out for recognition by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts for helping to turn their home improvement dreams into reality.”

The sales can be a great time to bag a sofa bargain. Richard Bond of Jamie Hempsall Interior guides you toward making the right choice so you are sitting pretty.

A sofa is a major investment, which should last a considerable time, and this time of year is perfect for helping considerably lessen the financial outlay. However, put your heart aside and apply some hard logic to ensure your purchase is not an expensive mistake.

Style is vital, but consider impact on space and seating capacity

Firstly, consider who will actually use the sofa? Is it a statement piece for adoration or the centre of family life with all the stresses and strains that this may mean?

Next measure the physical space you have available and consider the clearance you need for other furniture. There is nothing worse than bringing the right design in and finding it is over or undersized. Similarly, give a thought to the size of the people who are going to sit on it.

Measure access routes to ensure you can get your sofa in your house!

Take a tape measure with you. If you are unsure a sofa will fit, take the maximum dimensions and make a full-scale paper template. Then lay this out on the floor to check it will fit within the confines of your room.

Measure ceiling heights, door widths and any awkward angles along the access route to help avoid choosing a sofa that you cannot physically get into your house. Check with the retailer if the legs can be removed (even a few centimetres can be helpful when negotiating doors) and see if the sofa is constructed in sections that can be taken apart.

Then you can start to consider form. One of the key decisions is loose cushion or fixed back? The former tends to be a relaxed look, allowing you to sink into a sofa, whilst the latter is more supportive and formal.

The correct seat depth for your legs is vital to comfort

Seat depth makes a huge difference to how a sofa will work. If it is to be lounged upon a wide seat can make it feel more like a bed – however, this can be unsettling for anyone who prefers to sit upright. Ideally, you should be able to sit on a sofa comfortably with your feet touching the floor and the back of your knee just clear of the edge.

Your cushion choice is important, for comfort perspective and maintenance. Foam can be hard, but keeps its shape. Feather is indulgent, but requires daily plumping. I would generally opt for a combination foam-feather wrap seat cushion (a bit like a duvet wrapped around a foam centre). You get all the comfort with a bit more structure.

Foam Feather Wrap Seat Cushions provide low maintenance comfort

Style is vital, but consider impact on space and seating capacity; a scroll arm can look amazing, but needs a large room to carry it off and reduces the seating space.

Above all, do not buy in a rush. See it, feel it, sit on it. Go away and come back at least once. Keep a cool head and that real bargain is yours for the taking.

INSIDER TIPS TO CHECK OUT THE QUALITY

Try lifting the sofa from the corner of one end. A good frame should not twist, creak or appear flimsy.

Check the frame behind the back cushions, it should be thick and padded – you should not be able to feel the frame.

Look under the seat cushions to see if it is the same fabric as the body of the sofa or a cheaper lining.

Finally, ask your retailer to unzip one of the cushions to see if the fabric has been over-locked to prevent fraying.

Richard Bond, MD of multi-award winning Jamie Hempsall Interior Design, writes for a number of publications and is a regular interiors pundit for BBC Radio

Your tree sets the tone for your approach to the festive season. Opt for the biggest tree you can accommodate and site near a socket to avoid trailing wires.

Carefully consider access to the area, to ensure you can get your tree through the doors!

A themed tree with co-ordinated decorations is nice, but part of the joy of a Christmas tree is the chance to throw caution to the wind and have fun.

“More” is my favourite way to go – a tree groaning with decorations is great to encounter and the more eclectic, the merrier. Buying a few new decorations every year allows you to build up a bank of memories that can be recalled as you rediscover and rehang your decorations.

Unicorn in Dome Christmas Decoration £5.95 www.rigbyandmac.com

There is a huge debate on real verses artificial trees, but it comes down to personal convenience. A real tree gives that glorious pine fragrance throughout the house, but means more maintenance. Ensure your tree stand allows you to water it (to help keep needles intact) and keep an access route clear beneath the tree so this can be undertaken regularly. Trim ill-fitting branches to help perfect your shape.

Artificial trees are fairly maintenance-free, but invest properly in a good quality one and take a hard look at it each year to ensure it is not getting ratty – retire it in good time and get a replacement in the January sales!

Start by stringing lights – doing this before other decorations means you can remove lights easily if you have to start again. When you think you have the correct grouping stand back and look from different angles to ensure an even appearance of light throughout the tree. Don’t forget to ensure your tree topper gets a bit of that light action for effect.

Remote controlled plug sockets allow you to turn your tree lights on and off without searching around the branches helping reduce the potential for accidents. A single remote control socket is available from around £5.99.

Lay decorations out on trays and sort into sizes. Begin by hanging larger decorations at the bottom, working your way up to the top reducing the size of decorations in correlation to the length of the branches. This will ensure that you have a balanced looking tree.

Dove with Mistletoe £3.99 from Wyevale Garden Centres

Repeat the process of standing back and, looking from as many angles as possible, adjust decoration locations so that the overall effect is even to the eye. Then sit back and wait for Santa!

How did it all begin?

Having a decorated tree in a UK home dates back to the 1840s when Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert brought over a pine from his native Germany.

1848 Illustrated London News Sketch showing the Royal Family around the Tree

In 1848, the Illustrated London News published an illustration of the Royal Family at Windsor Castle gathered around their decorated tree.

This created a trend in fashionable homes, entirely replacing the traditional kissing bough over the next 30 or so years.

Initially, trees were decorated with real candles, sweets and cakes which were attached with ribbon. However, in around 1880 Woolworth began selling manufactured ornaments.

Jamie Hempsall Ltd is a multi-award winning interior designer consultancy. You can follow the exploits of the company on twitter @JamieHempsall or see more examples of their award winning work at www.jamiehempsall.com.

Metal is now a firm fixture in our interior design schemes, with Gold once again standing supreme against all comers. Richard Bond of Jamie Hempsall Interior Design explores the latest revival of this old friend.

From Industrial Chrome to Cool Copper, the metal finish has become firmly established in our interior design psyche over the last decade. There may have been a bit of a backlash against Gold with Copper attempting to take its mildly tarnished crown in the last couple of years, but Gold is back.

Post Modern Wall Mirror £155 from The French Bedroom Company

Once a clear indication of wealth, these days gold is attainable in interiors without the need to take out a second mortgage. Recently, gold was seen as a little brash, but this year sees its triumphal return to the interiors fold in all its shining glory.

The continued development of the market for Mid-Century Classic furniture, iadvancing from the Skandi Chic of the 1950s and 1960s to embrace the full-on hedonism of the 1970s and early 1980s is definitely a key reason for it’s resurgence.

Strong blues also continue to be an important trend in interiors colours – with key fabric collections such as Indigo by Ian Sanderson flying off the shelves (from £35/m – www.iansanderson.co.uk) – and these also play particularly well against gold finishes.

Test your tolerance with the inclusion of some gold in detailing: a rug is the perfect place to start with and the Tonquin Gold Rug by Wedgwood is an excellent example. The grey wool background providing the perfect foil for Gold Viscose and shows how to go all out chic (£349; therugseller.co.uk).

Gold Tonquin Rug by Wedgwood £349 www.therugseller.co.uk

Chair legs and side tables are also perfect solutions to introduce gold into your home. Gold metal works particularly well when is teamed with softer textures, such as velvet upholstery to avoid a harsh feel to your finish.

Mica Side Table £195 from Oliver Bonas

The High Street is offering wonderful bright gold pieces that clearly celebrate the 1970s – Oliver Bonas have some particularly good examples of geometric occasional tables, whilst the Mulberry Leaf Lounger by Graham & Greene is surely going to be an icon of this new golden age.

Mulberry Leaf Lounger £295 from Graham & Green

You can increase the intensity of your inclusion by using key feature pieces such as a large gold table lamp. It is essential to inject a bit of tongue in cheek humour here; consider pineapples or palm trees to add the perfect hint of the 1970s.

Palm Tree Solid Brass Table Lamp £295 www.cuckooland.com

If you are feeling particularly bold, then consider channelling the current 1960s Biba Revival and incorporate the Original Style Artworks Gold Half Tile, available in Sigma Gold & Jet Black, to create the perfect backdrop to a boho chic interior (£8.45 per Gold Half Tile – www.originalstyle.com).

Artworks Gold Half Tile £8.45 per tile www.originalstyle.com

It is not all about revival though, the juxtaposition of gold against modern building finishes, such as polished concrete, are also high in the design stakes. The Fusion Concrete Occasional Table from John Lewis, £99, shows just how perfect this combination can be – without breaking the bank!

The drink darlings of the 20s, 50s and 80s – the cocktail is enjoying another timely resurgence. Whilst home bars may be considered past their prime, the cocktail cabinet and trolley are definitely once more “on the up”. Richard Bond of Jamie Hempsall Interior Design considers your options.

The resurgence of the cocktail is manifesting itself in the appearance of drinks oriented furniture in the home. Sprinkle in the introduction of the seasonal gift ranges available on the High Street and you have the ideal recipe for amateur mixologists to enjoy the perfect home cocktail environment.

Sociability is one of the basic requirements of the perfect cocktail space. Half the fun of a cocktail is picking your tantalising tipple and watching a bartender mixing the magic. So, if you are creating a cocktail area within your home ensure your guests can experience the creations first hand.

Glasstini £5.95 from Red5

At its most fundamental, a cocktail space can be created in the kitchen by dedicating a cupboard to the storing of glasses, measures, shakers and bottles. The addition of a countertop ice-maker helps with the all important ice crushing (reasonably priced options are widely available so there is no need for a special freezer).

This works best in a large kitchen where you are happy for people to gather to chat and you have the ability to lose an element of cupboard space and work surface.

However, the natural home of the cocktail is the Sitting Room, where you can welcome and entertain guests in a relaxed environment. A simple, but stylish trolley is the perfect solution for the home. They take up little space and can be moved around as desired – ideal for transferring your cocktail base from room to room. Atkin and Thyme offer the chic nickel plated Riley Drinks Trolley (£299, www.atkinandthyme.co.uk) or if antiqued gold is more your style then have a look at the Luxe Drinks Trolley from www.oliverbonas.com (£350).

Riley Drinks Trolley £298

Drinks cabinets largely went out of fashion in the last couple of decades, but with the resurgent interest in all things mid 20th Century (not to mention our unending love affair with Deco) this is once again an honoured part of your entertainment space furniture.

There are terrific period finds to be upcycled from the likes of Ebay, but if you want something more contemporary then the High Street has interesting options such as the Zabel Bar Cabinet in Rosewood from Swoon Editions (£379 – www.swooneditions.com) or the Logan White Drinks Cabinet from Next (£185 – www.next.co.uk).

Classic cocktails shouts luxury and with that in mind, you might want to go the whole hog and splash out on a statement piece of furniture that creates theatre the moment you open it up. If that is the case, then the Pollock Drinks Cabinet from Julian Chichester is definitely the way to go (£6,394; www.julianchichester.com).

Pollocks Drinks Cabinet by Julian Chichester

The finishing touch has got to be your cocktail shaker and glasses – here the world really is your oyster. However, my personal favourite is Tom Dixon’s Plum range, which combines Jazz Age Class with Modern Chic in contemporary dark blue and copper tones (available from John Lewis).

Our MD, Richard Bond, shares his tips for the Perfect Bond Martini

Put your cocktail making skills to good use during the party season by perfecting the classic Bond Martin, the Vesper. This piece of cocktail history was first introduced to the UK in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel, Casino Royale.

Dartington Crystal Bar Excellence Martini Glass £43

Ingredients:

3 oz Gordon’s Gin (Bond’s preference)

1 oz Vodka

0.5 oz Kina Lillet Blanc

Add the ingredients into a shaker, such as the Bar Craft Boston Cocktail Shaker (£17.99; www.kitchencraft.co.uk), fill with ice and shake.

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass such as the Dartington Crystal Bar Excellence Martini Glass (£43 – www.dartington.co.uk) or the quirky Glasstini from Red5.

Twist a slice of lemon peel over the drink, rub along the rim of the glass and drop in.

As nights draw in many of us wanting to give our home a facelift to remedy the Autumnal gloom. Richard Bond advises how to get a perfect finish for a paint refresh.

If you are looking to brighten up your home this autumn without a major refurbishment budget, then a fresh coat of paint can be the perfect solution; provided you are prepared to do it properly.

It doesn’t have to be about a change of colour, as just giving your room a one coat refresh helps revive your original colour and eliminates any usage marks or blemishes. However, patching rarely works as paint shades alter over time, so embrace the change and paint the entire wall.

A one coat refresh of the existing colour can revive your original shade

Take time to prepare your surfaces well, a few extra hours spent initially give a better and longer lasting finish.

If you are going to reposition artwork remove all picture hooks and repair the holes with filler. Let the filler dry and sand to a smooth finish so that your repair will be invisible once painted.

Treat small crack with filler, but large cracks should generally be considered a job for a professional – it may seem an additional expense, but it is likely to reap rewards in the long run.

Prepare woodwork properly and use Oil Eggshell for a softer finish than gloss

Woodwork preparation is vital to avoid chipping that will make your renovation look old before its time. Well-worn surfaces should be stripped with a chemical paint remover (such as Nitromors) or a hot-air paint stripper to give you a clean base. Even surfaces in good condition should have existing top coats gently sanded to a matt finish as this allows new paint to bond properly.

Apply the first coat of emulsion to your walls and, once this has dried, undercoat any woodwork. Be patient!! After this has dried, apply a second coat of emulsion and then a topcoat of your chosen woodwork finish; this ensures better definition and finish between the paints.

Your choice of paint finish is vital – things have come a long way since simple gloss or emulsion. In areas like hallways, which are prone to hard wear, use washable emulsion such as Dulux Endurance+ Matt or Zoffany Elite Emulsion. These finishes are washable and generally stain resistant.

We use oil eggshell for woodwork. The finish is softer than gloss and seems easier to apply than acrylic eggshell, which can dry very quickly and be more prone to streaking.

As with many things, cheap paint may sound a bargain, but often contains less pigment so can require more coats and be more difficult to work with. Trade up to a good quality paint such as Paint & Paper Library (www.paintandpaperlibrary.com) and not only are the colours likely to be more intense, but it should to take less time to do the job.

The new range from Paint and Paper Library from £21 for 750ml

Richard Bond is MD of multi-award winning interior designers Jamie Hempsall Ltd. Read more at www.jamiehempsall.com or follow them on twitter @JamieHempsall.

Jamie Hempsall & Richard Bond popped into BBC Radio Sheffield’s Paulette Edwards’ show again on 26th Sept 2016 discussing how our how to make your home work for you, new season’s trends and …. Lorraine Kelly’s cleavage!

All is revealed if you want to follow the link.

Follow the link, the whole show is really good, but if you do want to just hear our bit we are 01:08:47 to 01:42:06.

As we head into Autumn, Richard Bond looks at how we can get more light into our homes

As the sun begins to appear a little less each day, we can take action to ensure our homes do their best to keep our spirits high by making the most of any light sources available.

Reflection is the key way to amplify both your natural and electric light over the coming months – not to mention your good mood!

Temple bedside table in eglomise by JulianChichester

We often talk about the importance of using mirrors to help bounce light into areas that might otherwise be dark. This can be achieved not only from a simple wall hung mirror, but also by the inclusion of reflective materials in the surfaces of ornaments and furniture throughout the area.

If this sounds like a dusting and finger-mark nightmare, or you have concerns it might feel brash, you can tone down the overall effect by opting for églomisé finishes, rather the clear mirror.

Verre églomisé is a production technique where glass is gilded on the back with gold or metal leaf. It provides subtle, muted reflection. The technique has been around for centuries and was particularly popular in the 18th Century, but is experiencing a renaissance. The term now given to this technique appeared in the early 20th Century and is derived from the name of Jean-Baptiste Glomy, a French picture framer who used the process in glass mounts.

Perhaps a more cost effective way to introduce delicate reflection is to use one of the metallic or beaded papers from the latest wallpaper collections.

Nina Campbell has included a number of light reflective designs in her Coromandel Collection for Osborne & Little. Vignola (pictured) features an ornamental ogee trellis composed entirely of tiny beads, which provide delicate shimmer (£95 for a 10m roll, www.osborneandlittle.com). Her Gioconda design has flock on a reflective background generating subtle light seduction (price and details as before).

Vignola Wallpaper by Nina Campbell for Osborne & Little

Gioconda Wallpaper (also by Nina Campbell for Osborne & Little)

If you fancy something more glass oriented, then Cole & Son have launched Antique Mirror in three shades (gold, “gilver” and silver). The design shows foxed metallic panels on a foil base paper: a wonderful way to create a cost effective alternative to antique mirror tiles which would be particularly effective in hallways and bathrooms (£85 for a 10m roll, www.cole-and-son.com).

Mariinsky Antique Mirror by Cole & Son

My final wallpaper recommendation, Cilium, comes from the Anthology 04 collection and is based on an original artwork using folded and creased tissue paper. This is reproduced in small blocks, with the texture and reflectivity of the mica & metallic background vinyl providing a modern, warming surface that you want to stroke (£114 for a 10m roll, www.anthology.uk.com).

Cilium Wallpaper by Anthology

Experimentation and imagination are the key to incorporating light reflection, but the end results should reap rewards over the coming months.

Richard Bond is MD of multi-award winning interior designers Jamie Hempsall Ltd. Read more at www.jamiehempsall.com or follow them on twitter @JamieHempsall.

The coming weeks can mean back to school and long nights of study. However, good task lighting will help ensure that this is as stressless as possible our MD, Richard Bond, offers a selection of his favourite task lamps that balance practicality with attractive design.

Management team Jamie Hempsall & Richard Bond were delighted to be featured as guests on BBC Radio Sheffield’s Paulette Edwards’ show on 29th July 2016 discussing how our homes looked in 1966. Why? Well does “They think it’s all over…it is now!” ring any bells. This was the 50th anniversary of England’s World Cup Win!

There has certainly been a change to how our homes look and feel since that time.

To get an incite into the amazing differences between then and now (some of the statistics are breathtaking).

Follow the link, the whole show is really good, but if you do want to just hear our bit we are 01:07:45 to 01:30:10. Happy Weekend!

Summer provides the opportunity for outdoor existence, so you can upgrade your interiors without living in a building site. Richard Bond, MD of Jamie Hempsall Interior Design, grabs the chance to look at tips for remodelling your living room.

When designing a living room it is important to ensure it will be a room that can be used, rather than admired. So function and practicality are your prime concerns.

The first decision is the area of focus in your room: this is often the television, but could equally be a fireplace or picture window. Once that is identified all design considerations, especially furniture groupings, should reference it.

Provide plenty of comfortable seating in stain resistant fabrics

Your living room is likely to be your most important social space, so ensure you have plenty of comfortable, but non-bulky seating: thick arms on a sofa mean less seating area for the floor space it occupies. No matter who will be using the room, choose upholstery fabrics that are stain resistant (textured velvet hides a multitude of sins), so that you can cope with accidents that will inevitably occur.

Providing a number of occasional tables at the side of chairs will also help buy avoiding people having to stretch too far to put down drinks. It will also minimise the possibility of TV remotes and reading glasses going missing.

Place tables near electrical sockets so that you avoid trailing cable trip hazards. Alternatively, if you have remotely located tables over large floor areas, consider installing floor mounted sockets; these provide great flexibility and in the current age ensure mobile phone charging is easily to hand. With that in mind, it is also worth upgrading to electrical sockets with USB connections, to facilitate phone charging without the loss of a valuable 3 pin-socket.

Natural light is always the best environment during the day, so ensure you allow maximum light through your windows and avoid crowding them with overly fussy window dressing.

Use window treatments to frame the view & ensure you maximise natural light

Use window treatments to frame the view outside, but at the same time consider how fabrics will appear when your blinds or curtains are closed, as this is often a dominating aspect in the evening.

When it comes to decoration, wallpaper has a much softer feel than a painted surface, so if the budget can stretch opt for this. Avoid painting ceilings white, as this is extremely stark. Either tone to the wallpaper or, if your walls are painted, coat the ceiling in the same colour (with the potential of picking out coving in another accent colour – or white). Paint wood in a satin, rather than a gloss finish, to ensure sheen without shine for a more contemporary look.

Choose a mixture of overhead and table lighting to allow you to alter the feeling of the room

Overhead lighting is important, but really for the look rather than practical use as it generally forms a harsh environment. Create an intimate look for the evening, by using a mixture of wall-lights, floor lamps and table lamps. This will allow you to alter the feel of the room as required, providing maximum flexibility in one of the most vital spaces in your home.

Place a mirror opposite a window to maximise light and extend the view – image courtesy of Chiselwood Ltd

My final simple, but effective tip is to place a mirror directly opposite a window to help bring extra light & views into your living room. Placing a mirror here elongates or widens the feel of the room as your visual range is extended beyond the wall you are looking at, it brings in natural light from the outside and can give you a second chance to experience the view from the window. You may also be surprised to discover how this simple optical illusion can make your living room feel a whole lot larger – without having to extend or move (not a bad way to save on Stamp Duty!).

Jamie Hempsall Ltd is a multi-award winning interior design consultancy. You can see more of their work at www.jamiehempsall.com or follow them on twitter at @JamieHempsall.

With our fast-paced modern lives, the shower is now a predominant bathing habit. Richard Bond of Jamie Hempsall Ltd considers how to create the ideal showering environment.

A daily 5 min shower rather than a bath can save 13000 litres of water a year

In the modern era of good plumbing, showers can provide a convenient, easier to access and potentially money saving option to a bath. Research shows taking a daily five-minute shower rather than a bath can result in a saving of 13,000 litres of water per year.

A roomy, powerful shower is now at the top of many house buyers’ shopping list, but don’t through the baby out with the bath water if you are doing up to sell – at least one good bath is a “must have” in any family home.

If you are working with a bath, invest in a dedicated shower fitting with separate plumbing, rather than a hose from your main tap. This allows for more effective temperature regulation and you can ensure appropriate water pressure.

A glass screen on the side of the bath, rather than a shower curtain, will also make the most of the space available to the occupant and avoid shower curtain cling.

Alternatively, if you have decided on a dedicated shower area take a careful look at the dimensions of your shower tray. A standard shower tray is only 80cm x 80cm. If you only add 10 or 20cm to each dimension, it has a significant effect on the feeling of space within the enclosure, vital for a good showering experience.

In modern design there is more emphasis on oblong installations, as these give a feeling of space, without wasting valuable bathroom square footage.

Shower Panel Single Entry by Merlyn Showering from 612 www.merlynshowering.com

When it comes to the plumbing, you should be choosing between a mixer shower (which takes water from the hot and cold system which you then mix to your ideal temperature) or an electric shower (which heats cold water as it flows through the shower unit).

If you have good water pressure the former is likely to give a more powerful shower and you can enhance the strength with a system-pump. However, ensure that your mixer has a thermostatic control valve to avoid the horror of hot water turning to ice when someone flushes the loo.

Electric showers are great at providing independent hot water (so no restrictions due to your tank size), but can feel a little underpowered. I would always advise opting for a 10kw electric shower as a minimum.

The actual delivery of the water is what makes your shower special, but bear in mind who will be using it. Overhead drenchers can deliver an array of experiences from tropical rain forest to light mist, which many love.

However, these can be a problem for people with long or thick hair that takes a while to dry and want to avoid wetting it every day.

Corner showers help maximise options in challenging spaces

If you are looking to install a shower in a small, challenging environment then a corner installation is often the best option as they provide large side dimensions. This importantly ensures plenty of space to allow you to freely move your arms while showering; giving the illusion of a spacious enclosure, without encroaching too far into the room.

Look for outward opening pivot or sliding doors and ensure you have enough floor space to easily open them and gain access to the shower.

Finally, always include a good amount of waterproof overhead lighting within your shower area to avoid it feeling dark and uninviting.

Just as redesigning our home interiors energises homeowners, workplaces benefit from a strategic re-imagining too.

Any business which opens its doors to the public needs to ensure its premises never look tired and dated.

But offices hidden from public view should also invest in a regular makeover; research proves that revitalising the workplace reaps dividends for the employer.

“It has long been known that surroundings have an impact on human behaviour. And new reports show that a quality of workplace environment results in more engaged staff. It improves their performance and reduced staff turnover,” said multi-award-winning interior designer Jamie Hempsall.

“The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment recently carried out a study of the impact of office design on business performance and discovered that companies who had improved their workplaces were reporting an increase in staff performance of up to five per cent.

In another report, a major UK call centre said staff turnover reduced by 11% and output more than doubled after a move to new premises,” explained Richard Bond managing director of Jamie Hempsall Ltd, a design consultancy launched in 1994 in East Drayton on the outskirts of Doncaster renowned for innovation, practicality and cost-effective design.

Bolsover Cruise Club, one of the largest independent cruise retail agents in the UK, called in the Jamie Hempsall team to restyle its ten-year-old HQ – and were delighted to find the result had a positive impact on its staff.

Launched back in the 1960s by current MD Michael Wilson’s grandfather, the company sells tens of thousands of cruises a year throughout the UK.

Its purpose-built premises at Barlborough Business Park operate as company HQ, a national call centre for 114 staff and the Cruise Reservation Bureau, where customers come to discuss their dream trips with expert agents.

The brief from Bolsover Cruise Club was to create a modern, more sophisticated style which flowed through the entire building.

Practicalities were paramount. Results had to be hard-wearing – and all work had to be carried out around Bolsover Cruise Club’s 9am to 8pm, seven days a week operation. There could be no down-time.

“There were many challenges with this project,” said Richard Bond. “But we understood totally the need to deliver with no impact at all on the business and relished the opportunity to launch Bolsover Cruise Club’s premises into the 21st century.

“Our biggest issue was the re-carpeting. The old carpet had been glued to the floor and had to be chipped away and the entire call centre floor had to be re-fitted overnight. To work within the time constraints and minimise disruption, we sourced a hydraulic system that raised every desk.”

Jamie Hempsall explains the design concept: “A nautical theme was the obvious choice, but we wanted to do it in a way which had subtlety and most importantly, reflected the luxurious ambience of a first-class cruise liner.

Bolsover Cruise Club managing director Michael Wilson said he was delighted.

“We didn’t lose a minute of business and the whole place looks superb. Our staff love their stylish and modern new surroundings. We have invested in their workspace and it’s clear they appreciate that.”

Conservatories can be a cost effective extension in which to enjoy the pleasures of your garden. Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall looks at creating the perfect environment.

The British home-owner is passionate about many aspects of their dwellings, but we do have a particular penchant for conservatories. No doubt partly because our changeable climate means they are one of the only ways we can actually experience our gardens yearlong – albeit from the comfort of an armchair.

They can be a relatively cost effective way to extend a home and, if carefully planned, is likely to create a return on investment. According to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RCIS) they can add between four and five per cent to the value of your home; dependent upon choosing a design sympathetic to the age and style of your home and in keeping with its environment.

The benefit of living in natural light (even the meagre version that we sometimes get in the UK) is shown to help lift spirits throughout the year. This makes a conservatory ideal for use as an everyday, rather than an occasional use, living space, so consider their construction and external aesthetic design carefully.

Garden Rooms are a gateway between inside and outside, so your interior needs to nod to the garden, but at the same time transition from the décor in the rest of your home.

Flooring sets the tone and perceived temperature of your conservatory. Hard surfaces are best as they cope well with the strains of temperature change and sunlight. Marble or stone provide a superb upscale finish, but you can also achieve an impactful look with quality vinyl floorings (such as Karndean or Amtico). Specialist vinyl-floor fitters can create sophisticated designs to suit modern or heritage designs, but ensure your fitter is using an adhesive suitable for a high heat environment.

Osborne & Little Sea Breeze in a Gi Gi Lloyd Loom Chair

Ensure that you include plenty of electrical points in your conservatory for flexible lighting from table lamps to maximise use throughout the year and add wall lights on dimmers to provide controllable ambience. A central ceiling hook that can carry considerable weight, with electrical provision, will allow you to include a feature chandelier (important if using your conservatory as a dining room) or a powerful fan.

Window dressings should be kept extremely simple to allow the maximum view. Sailcloth is a sympathetic finish for ceiling blinds, while wooden venetian blinds can provide extra privacy without hiding the view.

The Plage Collection by Zinc

When choosing a colour for window treatments either continue the idea of a garden portal by matching them to a shade visible externally throughout the year or blend into the background by toning to your wall or floor finish.

One of the nicest products for furnishing a conservatory in use as a dayroom is traditional Lloyd Loom, manufactured from woven twisted paper and wire. It is extremely durable as evidenced by the on-going market in vintage pieces. Vincent Sheppard and Lloyd Loom Manufacturing offer ranges of traditional and contemporary designs that cope well to changes in temperature and humidity.

Vincent Sheppard Albert A Table & Avril Chair

Avoid dark colours in your upholstery, particularly red, as these can fade quickly in direct sunlight, but do not be afraid to opt for soft finishes. Consider incorporating fabrics designed specifically for outdoor, which are more fade resistant. The new Sea Breeze Collection from Osborne & Little, Malfa from Colefax & Fowler and Romo Zinc Plage all show “outdoor” does not mean signify bland or uninteresting.

After all that, you can just settle back in a comfy chair and admire the view whatever the weather!

Jamie Hempsall Ltd is a multi-award winning interior design consultancy. You can see more of their work at www.jamiehempsall.com or follow them on twitter at @JamieHempsall.

As sunlight returns, your fabrics are in danger of fading. Richard Bond of Jamie Hempsall Interior Design looks at options to filter those rays streaming through your windows.

Although the net curtain has fallen out of favour in recent years, there is still a need for many of us to ensure our homes retain an element of privacy; not to mention protection from direct sunlight for delicate fabrics and furniture.

Voiles are the obvious choice and have developed over the last few years into a sophisticated product, usually made from cotton, polyester or silk and available in an array of patterns and colours. They work best made up as pinch pleat or wave system curtains to keep the look unfussy, but dramatic.

Pinch Pleat Voiles in Osborne & Little Corbiere

In the last few years, strings have become a fashionable option after serving their apprenticeship de-marking VIP areas in some of the trendier nightclubs. They inject a contemporary update to any interior scheme. Many come in the form of vertical blinds allowing the householder to vary the impact of direct sunlight and external view.

Stings provide a flexible and contemporary solution

Despite appearances String Blinds are incredibly hard-wearing and perfect for high traffic areas such as patio doors where you can keep them closed, but still pass through easily. The product is usually laser cut to the exact length you require and most companies offer them in a wide array of colours that should satisfy even the most vibrant interior scheme.

Semi-translucent gauze roller blinds are simple to install and perfect for places such as dining rooms where delicate woods can become easily damaged by direct sunlight. Opting for a more ornamental finish ensures confidence that these blinds will enhance your scheme, rather than being a necessary evil.

Ornate Semi-Translucent Blinds provide perfect style and shade

You should certainly consider installing remote control operated blinds for windows that are harder to access, as battery and solar powered options now make these a more cost effective option.

Sometimes privacy is actually the main concern, particularly at night when voiles and translucents effectively become see-through when back-lit.

The traditional Venetian blind offers one of the best ways to block out the exterior, whilst allowing light in. The sheer range of finishes that are now available, from natural woods to slats that can be custom colour-matched to your walls, make these a terrifically versatile product. They work best with modern interiors and in places where you do not have other window dressings.

Venetian Blinds with a pelmet provide perfect bedroom privacy

If you are considering venetian blinds in a bedroom as your main window treatment and your sleep is affected by light, be aware many mechanisms still allow some light pollution when fully closed. Therefore, you may want to consider New England style shutters are now more common in UK homes. They cost more than venetians and provide a very definite style statement, but they are incredibly effective and, if made-to-measure, can help provide excellent solutions to non- standard window shapes.

Should you be looking for the ultimate in day-time privacy, but want to avoid blinds or shutters take a tip from Hollywood and look directly to your windows.

One-way glass where the occupant can see out, but the outsider just sees a mirrored finish is now commonly available, if a little pricey.

If you do not want the expense of replacing your window glass and have a meticulous eye for DIY then you can achieve a similar effect by applying a mirrored window film (available on-line from just a few pounds).

Some pounds invested wisely in this way can help protect valuable possessions for a considerable time.

Use your child’s imagination as a starting point to inspire the perfect playroom says Richard Bond of Jamie Hempsall Interior Design

It is amazing how many large playthings a small person can collect – and how much these invade the rest of home.

One solution to retaining your sanity is creating a dedicated play area where your children can create havoc and you can shut the door blocking out the mess.

Little minds require plenty of sensory stimulation so create a light, invigorating area using interesting colours (such a burnt orange and acid lime). Avoid focussing on harsh primary colours, as these become boring for a child and can severely limit future decoration schemes.

Focussing on wallpaper designs such as the Zagazoo range from Osborne & Little (£44 a roll), which features illustrations by Quentin Blake, helps avoid the inevitable need to decorate in too short a period as interest wanes in more age specific cartoon character choices.

Furniture needs to be the right size for your child so that they can use them unaided. Choose items with round edges to minimise the inevitable bumps all children accumulate. Places like Ikea provide some innovatively designed value items that are also durable and very cost effective (such as the Mammut table & chair, from £7). However, If you want to include serious design influence consider the Me Too range of children’s furniture, featuring iconic pieces such as the Puppy by Eero Aarnio. The price point is higher, but the overall look is wonderful.

You want to create a safe area for your children to play unsupervised. To this end, ensure bookcases or cupboards are well secured to avoid accidents, but at the same time ensure they are accessible so your children feel independent in their own space.

A great way to encourage creativity is by creating a black board wall at home. Use MDF cut to a little higher than you expect your children to grow in the next three years and of a length to span an entire stretch of wall. Coat the MDF in black board paint (available from hardware stores) and fix to the wall. Your children will then have a great space to draw with either traditional chalks or chalk markers.

If you have enough space above the black board fill it by enlarging a special family picture or have a digital image transposed onto a custom made wallpaper (for about £26 per Sq m, from sites such as www.photowall.co.uk).

Washable flooring avoids heart-break and soft play mats are particularly good. They are now available not only in bright colours, but incorporating letters, numbers and even working piano keyboards to facilitate both rough and tumble and creative play (check out www.softfloorkids.co.uk).

You can create a home art gallery to display your children’s artwork by using wallpaper featuring picture frames. My favourite for a Play Room is Funky Frames by Graham & Brown (£20 per roll; www.grahambrown.com).

Fill the frames with photos or artwork and even allow a little self-expression with crayons (if you dare). If you use Blu-Tak, rather than paste you can change displays and even develop the scheme as children get older.

For the finishing touch, add one or two oversize features (a large clock which can be used to learn to tell the time) or some indoor soft-play structures for added fun.

We are absolutely delighted that we have been featured on a panel of ten industry experts in Grand Designs Magazine, where we talks bout the latest trends, must-have buys and essential ideas to help readers plan their perfect bathoom.

You can read the full size panel by opening the PDF at the foot of the page.

We are creating a modern kitchen and want an eye-catching work-surface. Shiny is definitely not what we want, so we need to avoid Granite. Suggestions gratefully received. DS

If you have the budget, the choice of natural finishes is broad these days. If you are actually attracted to granite it is worth knowing it comes in non-high shine finishes. Speak to your supplier about a honed or leather-finish, which are both matt in appearance and relatively simple to maintain.

Alternatively, if you fancy something innovative then consider the Raw Concrete Classico Worktop from Caesarstone. The shade contrasts beautifully with steel appliances and gives a hint of an industrial kitchen in a domestic setting.

Caesarstone is engineered quartz stone, which is scratch and stain resistant. It is non-porous and easy to clean (the manufacturer recommends soap & water or a mild detergent) and is available in a variety of depths from 13mm.

Our bathroom lighting needs an update and I want something colourful and glamorous. We have high ceilings and large room dimensions and need a large overhead fitting. Could you let me have some advice on what might work? ME

Bathrooms are wet and steamy places. If you are looking at locating lights where there is a risk of water intrusion, you need to ensure that any fitting has an IP44 rating (or above).

This is definitely not a barrier to interesting lighting though and you may be surprised to learn some chandelier manufacturers make products that fit the bill perfectly.

The team over at Curiousa and Curiousa have just adapted their award-winning hand-made pendant light range to work within IP44 rated conditions, which would be perfect for the environment you mention. Prices start from £540, for more details head over to www.curiousa.co.uk (01629 826284).

We are re-designing our guest room and need a small wardrobe to provide hanging space. We are very limited on size, but want something with good design credentials. Can you make any suggestions? AM

Clockhouse Furniture makes a terrific range of tented cupboards, which we squeeze into some very tight spaces. The corner cupboard (pictured) is particularly useful for challenging spots, or if you want something more exotic choose their hexagonal tented cupboards with a domed top sporting a feature finial.

The cupboards are upholstered in your own fabric and can be painted in any colour for a perfectly bespoke solution. The build quality is terrific and they smack of traditional craftsmanship, made to hand down for generations to come.

Our eldest has just acquired teen status and I have promised a bedroom makeover. Where do I start? TT

Make this a joint process, with gentle steering away from anything character or novelty focussed. Opt for good design with plain backgrounds and dress with cool colour in soft furnishings and lighting, which can be changed as teen tastes develop.

Luckily, mother of two, Zoe Egerton, has used her experience to create www.zedteen.co.uk – a well-curated design edit of products to make the perfect teen pad. Head there to make life very easy!

This week theNational Sleep Foundationis celebrating annual Sleep Awareness Week to raise understanding of the health benefits of a good slumber. Most adults need a clear 7 – 9 hours, teenagers require around 8 – 10 hours and school age children should be tucked up for between 10 – 13 hours.

Many factors affect how well we sleep and one of these is the fabric of our bedding. Cotton is by far the most popular fabric for sheets in the UK; it reacts to your body, allowing it to breath and ensures you are kept comfortable without being clammy.

Nymphaea Peony Bedding 200TC Percale from £20 by Designers Guild

However, improvements in the manufacturing process and finishing techniques mean that other fabrics like polyester and viscose can be viable alternatives.
Microfibre bedding is composed of extremely fine polyester fibres making for affordable and soft bedding that resists pilling more than traditional polyester fabric.

It can be a good alternative for infrequently used beds, but is less breathable than cotton so may not be ideal for sensitive skin.

Harlequin Colette Bed Linen 180TC Percale from £25 www.bedeckhome.com

Man made fabrics usually help reduce maintenance, especially as some are specifically designed to minimise ironing. However, if you enjoy sliding into crisp, cool sheets then cotton (or at the very least a cotton-polyester mix with a minimum of 80% cotton) really is your only option.

The highest quality and softest cotton sheets are woven using extra long fibres, which are spun into fine, strong yarns. This is a mark of the highest quality and certified long fibre cottons includeEgyptian,PimaandSupima(a registered trade make to look out for). Obviously, this all comes at a price and standard fibre cottons can still be extremely comfortable (see the panel for a guide to some of the other weaves you may encounter on the High Street).

Check the thread-count of your cotton (the number of threads per square inch) as essentially the higher the count, the softer the sheet. The combination of a high volume of thin thread means that you achieve a soft, silky feel that will actually be enhanced after washing a number of times.

Bluebellgray Canna Bed Linen 220TC Sateen from £18 www.houseology.com

Good sheets range from around 200 to 800 thread-count; I would ideally opt for something in a 300 to 500 thread-count. You will see higher counts, but there is a diminishing return above a 500 count.
A sheet with a lower thread count is not necessarily low quality, as the weave and manufacturing processes also make a difference, so one of the most important tests still has to be the common sense approach of physically touching the product.

Pip Studio Melody Duvet Set 200TC Perale £90 www.daisypark.co.uk

If you are still confused by names on cotton bedding, here is a quick guide to the differing cotton weaves.

Sateenis a cotton cloth made with a satin weave. This gives a soft feel with a shinier finish, but can be less durable than a tighter weave.

Percaleis a crisp and durable plain weave fabric: it should have a thread count of at least 180.

Combed Cottonhas been combed to remove the short fibres and leave the long ones resulting in a soft, but strong fabric.

Cotton Jerseyis knitted, rather than woven.

Ultimately, common sense has to prevail so ensure you look for something that feels soft to the touch, is easy to launder and gives you a feeling of personal luxury.

As spring beckons the new fabric collections are hitting the shelves with Geometric prints definitely in vogue. Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall picks four of his favourites.

There is a hint of a new season in the air and with that comes fresh new collections from the fabric houses. Spring 2016 sees a range of exciting new designs hitting the market and one clear story is the development of strong geometric patterns.

It is difficult to define this as a trend, because this style of design is always with us in some form and has been appearing in interiors since at least the 5th Century BC, when they are clearly evidenced in Mesopotamian Pottery.

However, there is a definite symmetry about these collections, with fabric houses softening elements of what can be an extremely harsh appearance. Many have undertaken this by introducing delicate tonal shades and warm colour palettes to create designs that do not require you to take a sharp intake of breath before adopting them.

The strength of mid-20th Century and Scandinavian design within the furniture market also plays to the strength of this style where the firm patterns juxtapose well with the clean, clear lines of unfussy furniture and natural floor finishes.

Margo Selby leads the way with her Ragtime Collection for Osborne & Little. Margo trained at the Chelsea College of Art and Design and specialises in woven textiles. A number of the seven designs in this collection are woven on Jacquard looms, which ensure that the graphic imagery is extremely crisp and virtually 3D in appearance. Each design is dedicated to one of the greats of ragtime and jazz (including Basie & Joplin) and feature distinctive colour combinations such as grape and chartreuse with duck egg, or teal and mandarin with coral and ice (from £60 per meter – www.osborneandlittle.com; 020 8812 3123).

Ariane Dalle, Artistic Director at Larsen attributes the influence of their strong Spring geometric collection to the pictorial art of the women of Tiébélé in southern Burkina Faso, Africa. The collection features a number of stylish designs in which both natural and finer fabrics have been underscored by structured graphic motifs – making for a series of solutions, which deliver modernity and exquisiteness. Of particular note is Warner from their Sidney Collection which features large three colour diamonds woven in crewel work stitches on a linen back – the colour combinations are a lesson in understated elegance (£145 per meter – www.larsenfabrics.com; 020 7493 2231).

Romo have also taken their ever-popular Linara brushed cotton-linen and added some wonderful printed designs featuring contemporary geometric squares and stripes to create their new Cubis collection. The beautiful colour palette featured includes subtle neutrals, pastel pink, forest green and sunflower yellow. The collection is designed to be an ideal complement to the existing Linara plain range (the Cubis collection is £39.50 per meter – www.romo.com; 01623 756 699).

The prolific design team at Prestigious Textiles continue to produce ranges of increasing complexity. This season sees the introduction of two wonderful geometric inspired ranges.

“Annika” is a collection of Scandi-style jacquards in six exuberant palettes headed by a rather zesty Tutti Frutti (from around £33 per meter – www.prestigious.co.uk; 01274 688448).

In contrast, “Metro”, is a subtler, but bolder fashion statement. A medley of contemporary geometric designs with jacquard zig-zags and diamonds supported by contoured velvets to ensure that there is definitely something for everyone (from around £20 per meter).

Jamie Hempsall Ltd of East Drayton, near Retford has won “Best Of Design” for the second year running on Houzz®, the leading platform for home renovation and design.

The already multi-award winning interior design team was chosen by the more than 35 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community, from among more than one million active home building, renovating and design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. The Hempsall’s “Best Of Houzz 2016” Design Award excellence badge helps homeowners identify the top-rated home professionals in their region.

Richard Bond, MD of Jamie Hempsall, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been given this publicly-voted award for the second year running.

“We spend a great deal of time with each client, learning about their lives and loves, so we can design bespoke spaces that reflect them.

“It’s not just about decoration, but space planning and re-design – ensuring areas we create deliver the result that is most useful to our clients.

“As part of this process we aim to ensure that our rooms that have longevity – interior design is an investment and we like to ensure a good return. It is always a joy to receive positive feedback from our clients and their friends, but to win an award like this really is the icing on the design cake!”

Andrew Small, managing director of Houzz UK added: “Anyone building, renovating or decorating looks to Houzz for the most talented and service-oriented professionals.

“We’re so pleased to recognise Jamie Hempsall Ltd voted one of our “Best Of Houzz” professionals by our enormous community of homeowners and design enthusiasts actively renovating and decorating their homes.”

Classic Chinese influence on our decorative surroundings has been growing in popularity for years. Today, the vivid colours associated with historical Chinese decoration are firmly reflected in interior design trends.

The Chinese tonal palette can be a strong one to behold, but that colour confidence has inspired many people to adopt them as part of bold design choices, which work well in both modern and traditional environments.

The wallpaper “Cranes in Flight” from Harlequin (£58 per roll; www.harlequin.uk.com – 0845 123 6805) is an ideal example of Eastern influence with its monochrome flock of Cranes against a hyper-stylised cloud background. The blue-green of the cloud encapsulates its Chinese meaning of vigour and vitality, whilst the simplicity of the lines draws you in to the design.

Rich blue, a staple of the interiors world is considered to be a symbol of relaxation, calmness and even healing. Therefore, it is no surprise that it is has been adopted in night-oriented rooms, such as a dining room or a bedroom. It also works as a dramatic statement piece colour to starkly contrast another main colour. This use works particularly well when introduced in the form of key decorative objects (such as the pair of Fusion Chinese Dogs from John Lewis, £40) or a focal piece of upholstery.

The real magic of the blue though appears when you fully embrace traditional colour pairings and combine it with burnt orange. In China, orange indicates change and spontaneity – so perhaps this is why this combination is such a delightful jolt to the senses.

A number of wallpaper collections incorporate this to great effect, one of my favourites being Gondola from the Frontier Collection by Cole & Son, which uses the combination to hint at moonlit highlights on a romantic evening (£72 per roll; www.cole-and-son.com – 0207 376 4628).

Orange and blue can also be used dynamically in upholstery schemes. The grouping of chairs in contrasting blue or orange always works well– as long as you are strident in a choice of rich pigments. This is illustrated by the pictured pairing of a sofa in Zoffany Lustre Weave (shown here in teal, £54 per meter) with a chair in their Mica Weave in Rust (£99 per meter), especially when seen against the backdrop of curtains in Zoffany Water Iris in Peacock/Copper (£75 per meter; all at www.zoffany.com – 01895 221000).

Alternatively, using burnt orange or blue-geen as a contrast piping to a blue main fabric (as seen in the 3 Seat Chelsea Sofa from www.igrupandritz.co.uk, £1,699) can add a heightened dimension to your upholstery choice.

2016 is a year of the Monkey and people born under this sign are supposed to be lively, flexible, quick-witted and versatile. If you fancy a little monkey fun in your interior seek out the Seletti Range of Monkey Lights – they are truly imaginative featuring a realistic monkey sculpture in stark white holding a bare bulb. Three styles (sitting, standing and a hanging wall light) allow you to include them wherever your fancy takes you!

So, if your 2016 resolutions are already far behind you, why not make a Chinese New Year declaration to embrace these bold colour trends to brighten up your outlook?

Delighted to have participated in this piece in The Star Business Magazine. Here is our take on the situation. You can read the full interviews with all six couples in the attached PDF.

Your partner is the other half of you – but could you cope if they were also the other half of your business? We ask 6 couples for the low down on their 24/7 relationships….

“We always thought it would be a nightmare to work together…” Jamie Hempsall cheerily admits he had never planned to be in business with his life partner. Neither had he intended to become an interior designer.

The pair had met when Jamie was 21 and in a top London drama school, his sights set on a career on the stage. Richard Bond, two years younger, was at university in Manchester studying business management and on track for a financial career.

Both achieved their ambitions.

Richard became an accountant and business analyst, firstly with Tesco where he helped launch TescoDirect, then with Center Parcs as a main board director. Meanwhile Jamie worked successfully in London theatre for six years and dabbled in interior design between jobs.

They moved back to Jamie’s native Nottinghamshire following a family bereavement, which was when Jamie started his interior design business. As Jamie Hempsall Ltd grew, he realised that he needed some assistance with the non-design side of the business.

“Richard was just considering a career change and agreed to give me some help, but only on a temporary basis.We both thought we would end up killing each other if it was anything permanent because we thought so very differently,” says Jamie.

But being polar opposites made for the perfect formula. The company based in East Drayton near Retford is a multi-award winning practice. A member of the British Institute of Interior Design and the Society of British and International Design, it works with residential and commercial clients throughout the UK and parts of Europe.

Jamie, now 51, is the design director and Richard, 49, is the company MD. “It worked because we have blind faith in each other’s abilities, and realised we needed to leave each other to get on with what we do best,” says Jamie.

“Richard manages the contracts, the business planning, the finances, marketing and our media. I do the design. And 2016 is a special year for us. The company is 10 years old and we are celebrating our 30th anniversary together.”

Richard and Jamie entered into a civil partnership in 2006 and wed in 2014 immediately after the law changed to allow gay marriage.

“Since we met in 1986 we have seen massive changes in society’s attitude to homosexuality,” says Richard.

“It is only in retrospect that you realise quite how much society has moved forward. We never really experienced direct prejudice, but when you look back on it you understand there were a lot more everyday hurdles to overcome.

“We had to lie about our sexuality when we got a mortgage together to avoid premiums being inflated. Before civil partnerships we didn’t have the same rights regarding inheritance tax and pensions. If one of us had died the other would have had no pension rights and we would have had to pay inheritance tax just to stay in our own home – a very different state of affairs from a married couple.

“But we have always had the support of our families and friends and in business, being gay has not caused a single problem.When clients realise we are a couple they take us at face value.We now count many of them as close friends, which is wonderful.”

Relationship rule:

We work long hours together during the week so when we leave the office we made a pact not to talk about business, switch our mobile phones off and forget about emails. It was very difficult at first, but we’ve got pretty good at it. And we never take personal arguments into the office.

If you are undertaking a remodelling project in your home it can be beneficial to step back and consider space redefinition, rather than simple redecoration. Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall looks at out how radical thinking can revitalise your home.

For most of us, January comes with a host of resolutions, which often include sprucing up our home. Whatever the project scale, it can be beneficial to step back from your original ideas and look beyond the constraints of your existing space to consider how you would like your home to work for you in an ideal world.

Once you have thrown the net wider, it can be surprising to discover that structural changes that may make your home perfect are not that insurmountable. Some extension in budget at the outset, can give you considerable payback over many years.

This is also a consideration if you feel you need to move, with the increase in stamp duty you could find that it is cheaper to adapt your current home than pay tax to trade up.

One of the biggest obstacles to development is historical layout. The housing market has changed dramatically in the last couple of decades, with more emphasis on combined living areas and a focus on square footage. This is in stark contrast to a plethora of rooms (however small), which was the principal drive of the housing market for most of last Century.

A particular example of this is the development of the kitchen, which has moved from an isolated area focussed on meal preparation to become a centre of the home; somewhere that combines cooking, informal dining, homework and TV viewing all in the same area.

In many types of build, the dividing wall between a kitchen and a dining/living room can be partially or wholly removed to open up your space. If undertaken correctly, according to building regulations and consultation with professionals to ensure no structure issues arise, this type of modernisation will not only benefit your everyday living, but also increase the likely saleability of your home. Obviously, this is also dependent upon finishing the project to a high standard with sympathetic design, rather than knocking through and hoping for the best.

Similarly, moving walls, or even just doorways, to make better use of space can present perfect solutions. In an apartment we worked on recently, the master bedroom was undersized and backed on to an unnecessarily large kitchen. As part of our redevelopment project we were able to reposition the dividing wall three feet into the kitchen. This may not sound considerable, and in terms of loss of space in this particular kitchen it was not, but extending a bedroom width from fourteen to seventeen feet meant a 21% increase in floor space. This allowed us to refocus the bedroom so a bed could look out of commanding window views, rather than a blank wall – a major improvement that revitalised the whole space.

So before making do and papering over the cracks or embarking on an expensive extension, look first to the internal space you have on offer to see if it can be adapted to give you your ideal home for the modern era.

When undertaking space planning, consultation with an interior designer or architect can help to identify solutions that may not seem immediately obvious.

If you are considering undertaking structural work, it is important to ensure whether planning permission is required and that any changes will comply with current building regulations.

Money spent on professional services may seem an added cost, but they can help alleviate expensive mistakes and ensure that your project is both legal and structurally sound.

This year the big colour story is about tranquility and inner peace. Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall considers the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2016.

When it comes to colour there is no better authority than Pantone – the company who provides professional colour standards for the design industry.

Many people will be familiar with the name because of the brightly coloured home wares that have appeared in recent years featuring a single block of colour above a white bar and a Pantone reference in clear black lettering. These products have become super cool from a design perspective, but underplay the significance of this system that guarantees colour continuity on a global scale.

The Pantone Colour of the year may not be something that you have previously heard about, but they have always been an accurate predictor of the “must have colours”. Past Colours of the year have included Turquoise, Emerald and Tangerine Tango – all of which are now staples in the interior designer’s colour arsenal.

In 2016 the Colour of the Year is actually a combined interplay of two shades PANTONE 15-3919 Serenity and PANTONE 13-1520 Rose Quartz. These are seen to be a harmonious pairing of tints that Pantone consider provide an antidote to the stress of modern day lives.

Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Colour Institute explained, ”With the whole greater than its individual parts, joined together Serenity and Rose Quartz demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.”

This colour combination is being introduced as a sensorial antidote to an increasing stressful world. Whether used on their own, or combined with other shades, the pairing of Serenity and Rose Quartz bring a feeling of calm and relaxation into any environment – be it home, school or office.

You can expect to see a wide range of products appearing in these colours throughout the year, not only on the home front, but also in the world of fashion.

They work well in rugs and upholstery, with Leeds based James Hare already featuring them in a number of their fabrics (I would particularly consider Cheyne Stripe Pastel or a combination of Ebury Chantelle with Westbourne Damask Nordic Blue).

Interior schemes going forward will feature combinations of these colours either through the matching of individual items (such as a Rose vase contrasting a Serenity painted wall) or with fabrics and wallpapers that feature this colour combination in their very make up.

This is definitely a non-traditional pairing and challenges some of our existing views on blue and pink being used for very differing purposes. If this seems a step too far, then consider introducing the tones in subtle accent pieces (such as a collection of candles or pieces of tableware) to just add a contemplative hint of relaxation.

Pretty soon you are likely to find that the calming effect will entice you to embrace these shades on a far wider scale.

To arrive at the selection each year, Pantone’s colour experts comb the world looking for new colour influences. These include films in production, travelling art collections and popular travel destinations, as well as lifestyles and socio-economic conditions.

Influences may also stem from new technologies and materials, but also textures and effects achievable from new production methods that can impact colour. They even consider up and coming sporting events that are likely to capture worldwide attention!

When it comes to winter, what could be better than curling up in front of a warm fire? Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in the installation of wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves in our homes as this method of heating is increasingly seen as efficient and cost effective.

Design enhancements and colour options mean there are fires to suit even the most modern accommodation. The traditional fireplace-located black box still has a place in people’s hearts, but many stoves are now developed for free-standing use on a hearth (with the correct flue). This creates a focal point in its own right and gives greater flexibility in positioning.

If you yearn for a sleek appearance without a visible flue, then look for models with a rear flue connection to avoid seeing a pipe coming out of the top of the stove.

Stoves such as the NEO3W from ACH Heat Products even have side panels so that they can be visually enjoyed from a variety of angles and maximise the amount of heat that the stove gives out.

Neo 3W side £1,470 from www.acrheatproducts.com 0121 706 8266

Innovative models like the Rais Viva 120 from Robeys also have the ability to rotate, so that you can direct their heat exactly where you want it in the room – altering this as the occupants or use of your area changes. This model features embedded hot stones, which help to keep the stove warmer for longer – more efficiency equals less fuel input!

Rais Viva 120 from £2449 www.robeys.co.uk 01773 820940

Bear in mind that if you live in a town or city you are likely to be in a smoke free zone, but this does not rule out the possibility of installing a stove. Defra, have approved certain multi-fuel stoves that burn smokeless fuel specifically for use in these areas. For more information see www.gov.uk/smoke-control-area-rules.

It has also not taken long for the alternative fuels market to wake up to this home heating phenomena and some of the latest models (such as the Aga Fusion Stove) have now been developed to burn the same wood pellets as used in Biomass Boilers; feeding these in via integral hoppers to help minimise stocking up. Some can even been managed by your smartphone.

Whatever style you choose, opting for the right heat output from your stove is vital to guarantee your space is warm enough. All stoves come with output ratings, so make sure you know the cubic dimensions of the area that you want to heat (height, width and depth) so your retailer can give you the best advice on the size needed.

Lastly, don’t forget the need for an area to store your fuel – the drier, the better, large enough to allow you to take advantage of bulk delivery discounts and ideally without too much of a trek to bring it in!

Which Wood is Good?

The type of wood you burn considerably affects the efficiency of your stove. The National Energy Foundation recommends hard woods such as Ash, Beech and Cherry that are denser, so burn longer than softwood.

Only ever use seasoned wood: cut in one year (ideally in Autumn/Winter when the moisture content is at it’s lowest) and stored for at least 12 months under cover in an airy place.

Never burn newly cut or wet wood – you’ll get plenty of steam, but very little heat!

The stripped down essentials of industrial chic can make it the perfect choice for the modern homeowner. Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall looks at this vibrant area of interior design.

Industrial Chic style has evolved from necessity to become embraced as a mainstream movement. It came up through the trendy ranks of reclamation and upscaling to become a hit on the High Street with modern furniture now being made to look aged and functional.

This style of décor is very much embodied by the juxtaposition of raw, weathered metal (particularly iron and steel), largely unpainted wood and distressed leather against neutral backgrounds. Essentially the workshops and factories of our forefathers, translated into modern living areas – think BBC Dragon’s Den with a bit more furniture and you are not far off.

The look first developed in warehouse conversions, originating largely in US loft districts, where the love of exposed brick work and pipes hanging from the ceiling was actually more one of economic necessity – it was cheaper to leave vast expanses of areas unadorned and embrace the buildings heritage rather than cover it up with cladding and plaster.

The look gained credence in architectural and design circles, so developed as a cutting edge design movement. Retailers such as All Saints and modern gallery spaces have assisted industrial chic’s mainstream transfer by making us all more familiar and comfortable with this type of environment.

Visitors to The Calder, the new contemporary art space at Hepworth Wakefield, can experience first hand just how exciting a totally unadorned space is and the infinite opportunities that such areas hold.

The upcycling movement is also fundamental to the development of this look. This is not just about refurbishing items, but re-envisaging redundant items for the modern era and imbuing them with new life.

Sites such as www.antiquesbydesign.co.uk show the innovative use that can be made of items such as a propeller (side table) or saw (wall wash light). Others, such as www.skinflintdesign.co.uk specialise in taking original industrial lighting and redeveloping it for the modern domestic market.

Old lockers and filing cabinets have been snapped up and made into modern storage options to such an extent that once cheap options are now highly sought after pieces, with designer price tags. So it is logical, that with cheap modern production techniques retailers would react to satisfying growing demand with a supply of product designed to look used.

Industrial chic is now cropping up all over the place. Searching “industrial” on many retailers, such as Barker and Stonehouse, will bring up a hearty selection of wood and steel options. There are now also specialists such aswww.vincentandbarn.co.uk who provide a one-stop shop of modern furniture, lighting and accessories that appear amazingly authentic.

Comfort is not out of the question though so do not despair! Soft leather chairs are the most on-trend seating addition, but recent developments have seen more mid 20th Century furniture being introduced into this type of scheme. Brands such as G-Plan and Parker Knoll were often heavy on wood with clear, straight lines, so have synergy with industrial pieces – the end results can be inspiring when these two design worlds collide.

It looks like industrial chic is a movement that is just going to keep evolving, as evidenced by the introduction of the new Drop Hat Shade in the Plumen modular collection – featuring a sleek metal disk teamed up with a simple bare bulb. Chic, just got chicer!

Jamie Hempsall, BIID, is a multi-award winning interior designer and member of the British Institute of Interior Design.
www.jamiehempsall.com
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AUTUMN BLUES ARE AN OCCASION FOR JOY

As we highlighted last year, blue is the hottest colour around in interiors these days, reflected by the launch at Decorex this week of the Blue Collection from the Little Greene Paint Company.

Following their innovative Grey collection a couple of years ago, this selection comprises 21 paint shades, 17 of which have not previously been published by Little Greene.

There are a mouthwatering array of tones and finishes, including the amazing “Ultra Blue” invocative of Yves Saint Laurent’s Marrakesh Villa. This shade will be hand mixed in Little Green’s paint factory and available for a limited period only.

I am looking to update the dining suite in our breakfasting kitchen with a mid 20th Century retro feel, but want to avoid wood. Do you have any suggestions that are not extortionate? AM

Mid 20th Century furniture is very hot and the cost price of vintage pieces has rocketed in the last few years. However, this also means manufacturers are creating design inspired pieces at a fraction of the price of the originals.

One of the renowned designers of this Modernist era was Warren Platner, an American architect and interior designer, famed for designing several prominent New York interiors, including the Georg Jensen Design Centre.

In 1966, he launched an iconic wire furniture collection still in production by Knoll, where a single chair could set you back several thousand pounds (www.knoll.com).

However, a range inspired by these designs is available from www.italiadesigns.co.uk. They offer padded leather upholstered dining chairs for £423 and a dining table for £504. These make a brilliant 60s style statement for a very reasonable price.

We are looking to create an “adventure explorer” bedroom for our 9-year-old and want a feature bed – is there a range you think would suit? NW

I should head straight over to www.funfurniturecollection.co.uk and look at their Land Rover 90 Bunk Beds – the ideal vehicle for any intrepid explorer! They are made to look as close to the real thing as possible, including panel lines and grill details, snorkel, snake ladders and jerry can. The bed dimensions take a full size mattress. It is available as a single, which can be converted to a bunk with a large roof rack add-on.

Prices start from £768.70 for a single and £1,270 for a full bunk version (excluding mattress).

Can you recommend any fabrics to cover a small sofa in our extremely style conscious 14 year old’s bedroom? RM

This can be a difficult age to decorate for, as styles and tastes can change dramatically at this point in a teenager’s life. I would suggest going avant-garde and opting for a high design fabric that does not relate to a particular feel or time.

A new collection for Kirkby Design by “doodle” art movement doyen, Jon Burgerman, should fit the bill nicely. He has a unique approach to colour and scale, meaning that you can be sure any piece will look “one of a kind”.

I would advise picking up on one of the colours in the fabric and using this as a key for wall and ceiling colour, which should be plain to ensure the sofa takes centre space. A cushion range is also available so you can add complimentary features to dress the bed. (£55 per meter; www.kirkbydesign.com – 01623 756 699).I need some ideas for bathroom storage in a dark bathroom, could you point me in the right direction? KW

Mirrors help in dark bathrooms, as they pick up on any light source and amplify it. The mirror-clad Inga floating storage units provide cutting edge shelf space for easy access and display of items you use all the time. In addition, they feature an integrated drawer space for all your bathroom bits and pieces.

They are available as a single rectangular shelf or triangular corner unit (from £59.99; www.my-furniture.co.uk).

The cocktail cabinet and trolley are definitely once more “on the up”. Interior Designer, Jamie Hempsall, gives his advice.

The resurgence of the cocktail is manifesting itself in the appearance of drinks oriented furniture in the home. The impending launch of Spectre, the latest James Bond feature, on 26th October is also bound to heighten our fascination with all things “shaken, not stirred”.

Sprinkle in the introduction of the seasonal gift ranges available on the High Street and you have the ideal recipe for amateur mixologists to enjoy the perfect home cocktail environment.

Tom Dixon Cocktail Range from John Lewis

Sociability is one of the basic requirements of the perfect cocktail space. Half the fun of a cocktail is picking your tantalising tipple and watching a bartender mixing the magic. So, if you are creating a cocktail area within your home ensure your guests can experience the creations first hand.

At its most fundamental, a cocktail space can be created in the kitchen by dedicating a cupboard to the storing of glasses, measures, shakers and bottles. The addition of a countertop ice-maker helps with the all important ice crushing (reasonably priced options are widely available so there is no need for a special freezer).

This works best in a large kitchen where you are happy for people to gather to chat and you have the ability to lose an element of cupboard space and work surface.

Riley Drinks Trolley from Atkin & Thyme

However, the natural home of the cocktail is the Sitting Room, where you can welcome and entertain guests in a relaxed environment. A simple, but stylish trolley is the perfect solution for the home. They take up little space and can be moved around as desired – ideal for transferring your cocktail base from room to room. Atkin and Thyme offer the chic nickel plated Riley Drinks Trolley (£298, www.atkinandthyme.co.uk) or if antiqued gold is more your style then have a look at the Luxe Drinks Trolley from www.oliverbonas.com (£350).

Drinks cabinets largely went out of fashion in the last couple of decades, but with the resurgent interest in all things mid 20th Century (not to mention our unending love affair with Deco) this is once again an honoured part of your entertainment space furniture.

There are terrific period finds to be upcycled from the likes of Ebay, but if you want something more contemporary then the High Street has interesting options such as the Arielle Antiqued Mirror Drinks Cabinet from Laura Ashley (currently reduced from £725 to £456.75; mto.laurashley.com) or the Dwell Bibte Drinks Cabinet, which also includes a copious wine store (£549 – www.dwell.co.uk).

Pollock Drinks Cabinet from Julian Chichester

Classic cocktails shouts luxury and with that in mind, you might want to go the whole hog and splash out on a statement piece of furniture that creates theatre the moment you open it up. If that is the case, then the Pollock Drinks Cabinet from Julian Chichester is definitely the way to go (£6,394; www.julianchichester.com).

THE 007 MARTINI

The classic Bond Martini, the Vesper, was first introduced to the UK in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel, Casino Royale.

As School holidays begin and Summer Sales are in full swing TVs are often top of the shopping list. Interior Design Jamie Hempsall considers how to show yours to best advantage

You have no doubt scoured the reviews and visited the High Street to find your ideal new TV, but before you commit spare a thought for where you will put it. The way your set is positioned in your room affects not only on your viewing comfort, but the role a television will play within your room.

The flat screen revolution means that the TV has leapt out of the corner of the room and can now be placed pretty much anywhere (or indeed within anything); this means the TV can be used to develop your interior scheme, rather than just vying with it.

A sitting room needs a strong focal point; modern homes are often built without a fireplace, so your television can help provide that grounding. As a result its placement needs careful consideration, not least because of the tremendous amount of peripherals (such as satellite boxes and sound-bars) that you also have to place.

If you are installing a television in a room without a fireplace then a long low, cabinet can be perfect. These are handy not only for storing additional pieces of AV equipment, but to hide the cable spaghetti junction that seems to appear behind most televisions.

Savage Collection Retro Studded TV Stand £750 www.braveboutique.co.uk

Since 2005 sockets have had to be mounted a minimum of 45cm above floor height to make them more accessible. If this is the case in your home and you do not want to see a set of plugs, then ensure this is either housed behind your television set or that any unit is at least 55cm high.

Alternatively, with mid 21st Century classic now very much in vogue, modular shelf and library units are making a practical return in eye-catching designs. This allows you to build an entire scheme around your television and still hide the hideous cables down the back of a large unit.

If you do have a fireplace, you need to ensure the room does not become unbalance be introducing a vying focal point in the guise of your television. The simplest solution is to wall mount the TV over the fireplace. Employ the services of an electrician and a skilled decorator to recess aerial cables and power points, thus ensuring the final look is clean and uncluttered.

Hang your TV above the fireplace to avoid creating a second focal point – installation by Jamie Hempsall Ltd

You can soften a wall-mounted television’s appearance and help integrate it into your interior design scheme by installing it in a matching wooden or painted frame – there are many available on the market, or you could use the skills of a local cabinet maker who can design one that matches or contrasts with other elements in your room.

When deciding where you hang a television, you need to consider the position in which you will be sitting to avoid hanging it too high up the wall; a common error in home installations. You need to be able to watch in comfort without craning your neck (even with the advantage of a bracket that angles the set downward). To avoid drilling unnecessary holes in your wall make a paper template of your television and hang on the wall with Blu-Tack. Get potential views to sit in their usual position and decide what height is most pleasant to view. Use the template to mark holes on your wall in relation to your bracket and hang accordingly.

Whilst the TV is generally a staple in any sitting room, you may still want to ensure that it has no impact on your interior scheme. About the only way to do this is to take an “out of sight, out of mind” approach and hide your television in a piece of furniture where the set is revealed on a rise and fall mechanism. Your local upholsterer should be able to come up a simple upholstered box, perfectly suited for your scheme, yet at a price which will still allow you some money for the odd summer holiday trip out.

Bespoke Rise & Fall Unit by Jamie Hempsall Ltd

For most of us the TV has no option to be on display. However, many people like the satellite box and DVD player to be hidden away, the dilemma being how to operate these via remote control without having the unit doors open. One of the simplest solutions is to use an infrared extender (or “magic eye”). These usually work by attaching infrared LEDs to the front panels of your boxes, which are then connected to a receiver discretely mounted in the door or on the top surface of your cupboard. Then simply aim your remote at the receiver to operate your equipment

With summer finally here and holidays looming, interior designer Jamie Hempsall, looks at creating a vacation feel in your home

There is nothing so appealing as the seaside on a sunny day. This can be the perfect theme for a haven in your home from the rigours of everyday life, allowing you to indulge in a little mental time travel back to the sun-kissed shores of your summer escape.

A nautical theme works wonderfully in a bedroom (be it a children’s fantasy space or an uplifting guest room) and also a bathroom, given the obvious water connotations.

The key is sticking to a simple colour palette (primarily blue with ivory or white and a touch of red) and hinting at your subject with subtle influences, rather than creating a Theme Park style space.

Keep in your mind clean, fresh and a little weathered and you cannot go too wrong.

Do not be afraid to embrace blue. There is a myth that blue is cold, but it depends entirely on the shade you choose. Be bold in your approach and opt for strong blues that evoke memories of the British shoreline – avoid anything pale or insipid.

Start by choosing your fabric and then match wall paint or paper to this, picking up hints of the tone in soft furnishings and key pieces. Do not feel that you have to match blue slavishly throughout your room; part of the joy of the sea is that it holds a myriad of tints and your space can do the same. Throw in the odd marine green to break up the feel a little or splashes of red for a true nautical flag influence.

If you are looking for a good base for a seaside theme, then a number of the fabric and wallpaper collections that William Yeoward has designed for Designer’s Guild certainly fit the bill – especially St Ives, Astasia and Polperro.

You should also consider the lovely new Coast range from Prestigious Textiles that features some lovely pictorial prints and a great set of weaves referencing traditional cotton checks. The range includes an unexpected treat in the shape of an embroidery called Coral Reef which is amazing value at £39.99 for a meter.

Keep furniture light and soft, so your space feels like it has been populated by pieces that have been sun-bleached or sand-blasted over time. Distressed white or ivory painted furniture is ideal and a great way to rejuvenate some of those beautiful old pieces that may now be a little out of fashion. If you have the budget, look out for limed wood, which will add a soft luxurious feel to your scheme.

Ideally, also ensure floors are light, but hard: lime wash or painted boards are perfect (and can help reinvigorate uninteresting or damaged floorboards). Failing that, a textured vinyl flooring, such as Karndean Van Gogh, will work well; it is not cold to the touch and yet can give you they physical sensation of wood when you step on it. You can then ensure winter warmth with the addition of some soft scatter rugs.

People often make a mistake by using novelty lighting to dress a “seaside” escapist room; this lends a cartoonish quality to the scheme. For a more sophisticated result use some of the modern Industrial style or porthole effect lighting to create the type of authentic scheme that sits well in a family home.

Mix up the textures in the room, using weaves, prints and plain knits to give a full 3D effect to your scheme; think canvas sails mixed up with fisherman’s jumpers in a pile on the harbour side. The addition of some hemp rope in the form of tie-backs or curtain detailing will also add character to the melange.

Finally, create “recognition points” by dotting a few scavenged holiday treasures, such as bits of cleaned up driftwood or interesting seashells, throughout your scheme to create the ideal memory jogger to last you until next summer.